When giving a presentation, there always seems to be so much to focus on. That focus can be directed into almost countless areas.  For instance:

• What should I wear?
• Where should I stand?
• What if I get nervous?
• What content would be the easiest for me to deliver?
• What materials would best support my presentation?

If you’ve ever stood in front of an audience, I have no doubt that you’ve asked yourself these questions, and more. Do you notice a trend here?  Look where the focus tends to almost always be; on us.  The problem is this; this focus is misplaced.

I happen to be a movie buff, and to help illustrate where the focus must really be placed, take a moment and watch one of my favorite movies, Gladiator. With a powerhouse cast led by Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe, Gladiator is the story of a once-powerful general who is sold into slavery and forced to become a common gladiator.  And yet, it’s neither Phoenix nor Crowe who delivers one of the most powerful lines in the movie; it’s a lesser-known actor named Oliver Reed.  

Reed plays the role of Antonius Poximo, a former gladiator himself, and now an old, gruff gladiator trainer who buys Maximus, (Russell Crowe,) and trains him to fight.  In a powerful scene, Proximo tells Maximus, “I was not the best because I killed quickly. I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom.”

Sitting in a movie theater, that line sent chills down my spine and resonated with me because of its connection to what we do when we are in front of a crowd.  No, we’re not fighting for our life, we are fighting to achieve our objective and win over an audience.  We are fighting for our moment.  

In a corporate or professional environment, it’s a different environment than in a school.  There are rarely tests, and if the presentation is not delivered in a dynamic manner, it matters… a lot!  One bad presentation can cost someone a promotion, or, even a job.  So, let’s call back that list presented earlier of what to focus on, and most importantly, let’s take the focus off of us, and put it where it really belongs: 

• What should I wear?  That depends on what the audience is wearing.  A great presenter will dress at, or slightlyabove, what the people in the audience are wearing.  When I left Xerox and became a professional speaker, I was often asked not to wear a suit to an offsite meeting. They even pleaded with me, and still, I couldn’t let go of my dark suits and white shirts. Eventually my resistance wore down and I realized that their requests would actually help me. By matching the attire of the people in the audience, I was able to bond faster with that audience.
• Where should I stand?  That depends on what works best for the audience.  A great presenter will walk the room hours before a presentation to check for angles and sightlines that will best suit the audience.  If a microphone is used, they’ll be looking for areas of feedback as to not distract the audience.  Where he or she stands depends on what’s best for the audience.
• What if I get nervous?  That doesn’t depend on the audience, but focusing on the audience can sure help you out here.  Taking the focus off of yourself, and placing it on the audience, will most definitely reduce your anxiety.  
• What content would be the difficult for me to deliver?  That depends on what the audience needs to hear, and it really has nothing to do with what’s the most challenging for you to deliver.  A great presenter will do his or her homework to make sure the information delivered is relevant to the audience’s needs. They’ll also work tirelessly to make the most difficult parts of the information easier to understand by connecting the unknown to the known.
• What materials would best support my presentation?  Once again, that depends on what that audience needs.  A great presenter will study what has worked in the past, and also, what hasn’t worked in the past. He, or she, will then create visual aids, exercises, and job aids to support these challenges.

In conclusion, the next time it’s your turn to take to the stage or boardroom, place that focus on your crowd. It’s interesting to note how Maximus responded to Poximo’s lesson with a statement of his own. He said this: “I will win the crowd.  I will give them something they’ve never seen before.”  Put your focus where it needs to be, give them something they’ve never seen before, and you will win the crowd… and the moment.

 

 

 

What do you get when combine energy, enthusiasm… and great content?  You get a “Pocket Sized Pep Talk!”  Tune in and you’ll hear a collection of BLArticles®, conversations, and interviews that are sure to teach, motivate, inspire, and oh yes; entertain!   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pocket-sized-pep-talks/id1497772972

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was on, “It’s Not Rocket Science! Five Questions Over Coffee,” a fun podcast with Stuart Webb.   You can listen to the podcast here: https://thecompleteapproach.substack.com/p/five-questions-over-coffee-with-rob#details

If you are looking for something to listen to on your next coffee break you might enjoy this brief chat between me and Tom Bailey, Founder of Succeed Through Speaking and the Succeed Through Speaking podcast. Listen closely if you would like some high value ideas to boost your business results.

You can read the transcript here – https://bit.ly/3BOfU7o

You can watch the podcast here – https://youtu.be/w-QgGvweE2M

You can listen to the podcast here – https://apple.co/2YVGWuN

I Zoomed my way to India to speak with Motivational Diaries, and Ashish Janiani.  We spoke for about 30 minutes about sales processes and training for success. 

   Sales Process To Sales Success || Interview With Robert Jolles – YouTube

If you want to read some “Life Lessons” I was able to share in a recent interview, you’ll find them here:  https://worldclassperformer.com/short-life-lessons-from-robert-jolles/

I had the pleasure of appearing on Robert Miller’s, Follow Your Dream Podcast and thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.  We go way back in this conversation to my first memories of performance… at age four!  I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!  https://follow-your-dream.simplecast.com/episodes/rob-jolles-superstar-salesman

I took another spin on, “The Abundant Accountant” podcast, and talked about a number of issues including  why sales training so often fails found here:  https://theabundantaccountant.com/episode-101-why-sales-training-for-accountants-and-tax-firm-owners-fails-and-how-to-avoid-it-with-rob-jolles

I also mixed it up with a wonderful podcaster, Terry McDougall on her Marketing Mambo show.  As she puts it, we “Cha-cha-chatted!”  If you want to hear sales and marketing go toe-to-toe, you’ll enjoy this show. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1569061/8172686-the-art-of-influence-in-sales-and-marketing-with-rob-jolles

I recently did a podcast with a wonderful, new, and up-and-coming star named Jahmaal Marshall.  His podcast is called, “Listen Then Speak.”  I’ve done a lot of podcasts, but we got into topics I rarely talk about, and I’m quite sure you’ll enjoy the show!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-then-speak/id1550684472

I’ve appeared on the “Small Business Advocate Show” with Jim Blasingame for almost 20 years now, and you’ll find dozens of our conversations on his website.  We just sat down a few weeks ago for a great conversation about selling fundamentals and the strategic use of stories.  Here’s a link to over 100 interviews done over the years, including my most recent interview that explores our many behaviors we display that are based more on a default mechanism than actual logic. https://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/small-business-experts/rob-jolles-134

We posted a video series on delivering amazing online presentations with my friend, Jeremy Webb.  We go over some great stuff including:

• How to Select the Best Equipment for Online Presentations
• Pro Tips for Sustaining Interest in Online Presentations
• How to Look Like a Pro!
• Public Speaking Anxiety Tip
• Virtual Office Setup for Online Presentations

You’ll find the whole playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRO7BsBDl6oL-6ZPW3O01x-g5PiR38ljL

I was recently interviewed on the “Salesman Podcast,” which was a lot of fun. If you’re looking to Change Minds, check out this podcast: https://www.salesman.org/the-simple-step-by-step-process-to-influence-anyone-with-rob-jolles/

I loved talking about the book, Why People Don’t Believe You on a podcast that I’m sure you’ll like called Onward Nation: https://predictiveroi.com/podcasts/rob-jolles/

After 30+ years as a professional speaker and trainer, one of the most common questions I get is this: “How do we make sure the training sticks?”  Take a moment and listen to this podcast; “SalesChats” with John Golden.  If you want to know why most training fails, listen up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3dDOlTK7U&list=FLxBXKhqz0xBwbUPMqNthAJA&index=2&t=1293s